Automatic timing device.



A. L. FISH. AUTOMATIC TIMING DEVICE. APPLICATION FIYLED MAR.18. 1914.

1,146,320; Patented July 13, 1915.

- 2 S-HEETS'SHEET1- A. L. FISH. AUTOMATIC TIMING DEVICE.

APPLI CATION FILED MAR. 18, 1914- Patented July 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 'Je (r 5;

ALAITSON I1. FISH, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK.

I To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, ALANSON L. FisH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Flushing, county of Queens, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Auto'- matic Timing Device, fully described in the following specification and the accompanying drawing, forming apart of the same.

My invention relates to an automatic timing device for foot'or other races, and its ob-- ject is'to provide .a mechanism which will matically stop the watch when the racer automatically start a stop-watch at the be glnning of a race,-a nd which will autocrosses the fimsh line. 1 1

With this and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain combinations and parts as willbe hereinafter fully described and then specifically pointed out.

Referring to the drawing: Figure 1 is a somewhat. diagrammatic view of the complete device, partly in elevation and partly in plan, and showing the electrical connections. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the means for supporting and actuating the stop-watch.

. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the circuit closing devices shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the other circuit closing device. Fig. 5'is a rear elevation of the device shown in Fig, 3.. Fig. 6 illustrates a modification ofmy device. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 74 of Fig.

Reference numeral '1 represents the casing for supporting the stop-watch. "This casing is adapted to-be secured by the clamp 2 to any suitable support 3. The support 3 might, for instance, be a part of the grand stand or of'the judges stand. The stopwatch 4: is held in the casing by the s ring clamp 5, which ifdesired may be ma e'adjustable to receive watches of different sizes.

The actuator 6. is pivoted to the casing at7,

and is provided with a projection 8 for en' gaging the stem of the stop-watch. This actuator is moved. by

pistol,'.to which the member 11 is adapted to be attached. Pivoted to the member 11, at

12, and insulated therefrom is the member 13,. 14. I he end 14 ofthis' member is enlarged, as shown clearlyinFig. 4, and being heavier than the end 13, is held by gravity against theiinsula'tedpost 15, as shown in Fig. 1. In tbis'position the enlar ed'end 14 projects in'front of the "gun barr and the Specification of Letters Patent.

the electromagnet 9 as will be hereinafter described. Reference numberlO indicates the starters AUTOMATIC TIMIN'G DEVICE. I

PatentedJuIy 13, 1915.

- Application filed March 18, 1914-. Serial No. 825,499.

end 13 is elevated out of contactwith the electric terminal 16. Atthe discharge of I the gun, the gases issuing fromthe gun barrel. impinge against the end-14, causing a clockwise rotation of the pivoted member 13, 14: and consequently a contact between the members 13 and 1-6.

Fivotally mounted on the rod 17, arm 18, held in adjusted position thereon by the collar 19. This arm 1.8 isformed with a web '20, as shown in Fig. 3. Adjustably seresilient 'member or switch 22. This switch normally assumes the position shown in Fig.

against the stop 23, as shown in Fig. 1. When, however, the arm '18 is moved in a clockwise direction into the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1, the web 20 has a camming effect upon the switch 22, forcing the cured to the rod 17 below the arm 18, is the member 21, which supports at one endathe' I 5, with the arm 18 in its normal position it into contact with the electric terminal 24:. 1

The arm v18 is adapted to be swung in the manner described, by the body of the racer as he crosses the finish line. This may be effected by soplacing the arm 18 that the racer contacts with it directly, or by stretching a comparatively weak cord across the finish line and securing'one end of the cord to the arm18. The instant the racer strikes the cord the arm will be actuated, and then the cord will break so as not to interfere with the progress of the racer. A spring or other suitable means (not shown) may be" employed for returning the arm 18 to its normal position. i

A wire 25 connects the upper terminal of the electromagnet 9 with a battery or other source of electricity 26. The battery is in turn connected by the wire 27, 28, to themember 13, 14, at the point 29. The terminal 16 is connected to the lower terminal of the electromagnet by the wire 30. Thus, when the gun is discharged, and the member 13 is thereby caused to contact with the terminal 16, the magnet is energized by the electric circuit which may be indicated as follows: 25, 2e, 27, 2s, 29, 13, 16 and 30.-

The energizing of the magnet will cause an instantaneous depression of the actuator 6, and a consequent starting of the stop-Watch.

Because of the excessive weight of the part 14, the member 13, 14"will almost immediately thereafter resume its normal position, thus breaking the electric circult, deenergizing the magnet, and allowing the actuator 6 depress the actuator 6, and according to the well known operation of stop-watches will stop the watch,

The electric circuit herein shown is more or less diagrammatic. It is contemplated to install permanentlyat the race track the circuit including the battery, the electromagnet and the stopping device, and to insert in this circuit, in shunt, several plug sockets for instance at ,the'lOO yard, 220 yard and 440 yard marks, for the reception of a plug connected to the two terminals of the gun attachment. This provides a very flexible device which may readily be adapted for use in races of any length. I

When it is desired to obtain the time-of each of the individual racers, a'corresponding number of watches 4, and casings 1 is provided. The' several electromagnets are connected .in series in an electric circuit which includes also a source of electricity and the switch on the attachment 11. Thus when the starters gun is discharged all of the electromagnets are energized and all of the watches are thereby simultaneously started. For stopping each watch independently of the, others, each electromagnet is provided'with an electric circuit which includes in series, a source of electricity, the two terminals of the electromagnet, and a stopping switch 22. It is understood that there are provided a number of rods 17 corresponding with the number of racers, and stop-watches, and that each such member 17 supports a switch 22, an arm 18, etc. The

arms 18 are arranged so that each of them is actuated by a difierent' racer at the finish Thus it seems that when any racer crosses the finish line, the corresponding arm 18 is actuated, the correspondingswitch 22 is closed, and thecorresponding watch 4 is stopped. this way the time of each individual racer is" recorded.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 6

I and .7, the electrical starting device including the electromagnet 9, the battery 26, at-

' tachment 11, etc, remain unchanged. But

the 'electromagnet is not utilized for step ping the watch, this functionbeing Performed by; a mechanical deviceiwhich will now be described. The hollow cylinder 35 .is attachedto a supporting member 36,

which is provided with a suitable 2'.

Within the cylinder is the rod 27. Surrounding this rod is a spring 38, the lower end of which abuts against the shoulder 39 held in position on the rod 37 by'the pin 40, and the upper end of which abuts against the upper head 41 of the cylinder. Thus the rod is normally forced in a downward direction. Secured to the upper end of the rod 37' is the rod 42 ofspring material. The latch 43 is adjustably secured to the rod 42. Secured to the holding member 36, or to some suitable part of the cylinder 35, is the member 44 provided at its upper end with two inclined surfaces 45, 46, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. As the rod 42 is raised from its normally depressed position the surface 45 cams the member'43 and the spring rod 42 to the right as viewed in Fig. 6 until the member 43 passes beyond the said surface, when the rod 42 and member 43 spring back to the left assuming the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6. As a result the latch 43 is locked in elevated position by the inclined surface 46, I i

the spring 38 being compressed. The holder 1 and the cylinder 35 are clamped to'the rod 17 by the clamps 2, 2, in such position that when the latch 43 is locked over the member with the actuator 6, and the upper endof the rod 42 will be in the path of the web 20 of the arm 18. Thus when the arm 18 is 44, the lower end of the rod 37 will contact I actuated by the racer crossing the finish line,

the latch 43 will be moved off of the surface 46, (see dotted lines in Figs. ,6 and7) and the consequent expansion of the spring 38' depresses the rod 37 thus causing the actuator 6 to stop the watch.

When this mechanical stopping device is employed it is a simple matter to provide for the timing of the several racers in a single race. In doing this, a number of devices 17 corresponding to the number of racers is employed, each device being provided with a I corresponding arm 18 is actuated by the corresponding racer crossing the finish line. In

installing'the permanent circuit when the mechanical stopping device is to be used, the wires leading to the switch 22 for the electrical stopping deviceare of course omitted.

' The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment shown and described here in, but obviously many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. I

by the gases issuing from a gun, when dis charged, for controlling said actuator; and additional means for controlling said actuator.

3. In a device for controlling a stop watch, an actuator forsaid Watch; means operable by the gases issuing from a gun, when dis--- charged, for controlling said actuator; and additional means, operable by a passing racer, for controlling said actuator.

4. In a device for controlling a stop watch, an actuator for said watch; an electromagnet for moving said actuator; and an electric circuit for energizing said magnet; said circuit including a plurality of switches any one of which is adapted to close said circuit; one of said switches being attachable to a gun, whereby the switch is closed by the gases issuing from the gun when discharged.

5. In a device for controllinga stop watch, an actuator for said watch, an electromag- 'net for -moving said. actuator; and an elecgases issuing from the gun when discharged; and another of said switches being adapted to be closed by a passing racer.

' 6. In a device for controllingastop watch, an actuator for said watch; an electromagnet for moving said actuator; and an'electric circuit for energizing said magnet; said closed by the gases issuing from a gun when discharged. I a

7. In a device for controlling'a stop watch,

an actuator for said watch; an electromagpassing racer. circuit lncludmg a swltch adapted to be net for moving said actuator; and an elec tric circuit for energizing said magnet; said circuit including a fixed terminal and a movable terminal; said movable terminal being positioned so that it is moved into contact with the fixed terminal by the gases issuing from a gun when discharged.

8. In a device for controlling a stop watch,

an actuator for said watch; an electromag- I net for moving said actuator; and an electric circuit for energizing said magnet; said circuit including a switch adapted to be attached to a gun-in such a way that a part of said switch overlies the end of the muzzle ofthe gun, whereby said switch is closed by the gases issuing from the muzzle when the gun is discharged.

' 9. In an electric timing device, an electric circuit, and a circuit closer included in said circuit and adapted tobe operated by the gasesissuing from a gun when discharged.

10. In an electric timing device, an electric circuit, including a fixed and a movable terminal, said movable terminal being positioned so that it is moved into contact with the fixed terminal by the gases issuing from a gun when discharged. Y 11. In an electric timing device, an electric circuit and a circuit closer included said circuit, said circuit closer being adapted to be attached to a gun in such 'a way that one member thereof overlies the end of the muzzle of the gun, whereby the circuit closer is operated by the gases issuing from the muzzle when the gun is discharged.

' 12. In an electric timing device, an electric circuit, a circuit closer included in said circuitand adapted to be operated by the gases issuing from a gun when discharged, and a second circuit closer included in said circuit and adapted to be operated by a ALANSON L. FISH. -Witnes ses:

ARTHUR H. Kmmam,

MAnION l KILLEN. 

